Evidence-Based Policymaking in Pakistan: Enhancing Social and Health Sectors

This passage is taken from Arif Azad’s book Rooted in Evidence, which was published in today’s Dawn newspaper.This article provides the key elements of governance. The key element of governance is policy-making. For example, the concept of evidence-based policy in public policy and governance refers to the use of rigorous and objective evidence to inform and guide policy decisions, as opposed to relying exclusively on political convenience, tradition, or ideology.The core idea is to use empirical data, research findings, and scientifically backed information to formulate, implement, and evaluate policies. By using this method, policies should become more efficient, effective, and in line with the real requirements and situations that they are intended to address.

How to improve the Governance:

The main idea of this article is to emphasize the importance and growing practice of evidence-based policymaking in Pakistan. It highlights that while traditional policy-making in Pakistan has faced challenges such as slow evidence generation, lack of relevant research, and political urgency, there is a shifting trend towards policies grounded in credible research and real-world data. This is particularly evident in areas like social protection and health. The article discusses initiatives like the Benazir Income Support Programme and the Sehat Card, which exemplify this evidence-based approach. Additionally, it mentions the establishment of the Research Hub, a collaborative effort involving research institutions, NGOs, and policymakers, which aims to integrate continuous research and insights into policy processes. The article also references international movements like the Global Evidence Commission, stressing the global shift towards evidence-based policymaking. The author argues for the expansion of this approach into other policy areas in Pakistan to ensure more comprehensive and effective governance.

Tricky Terms For Policy-Making

1. Empirical Evidence: Information acquired by observation or experimentation. This data is recorded and analyzed by scientists and is a central process in the scientific method.
2. Facts-based policymaking: is a method of governance in which choices are not decided solely on the basis of observation or gut feeling, but rather on carefully vetted, objective facts.
3. Social Protection: Policies and programs designed to reduce poverty and vulnerability by promoting efficient labor markets, diminishing people’s exposure to risks, and enhancing their capacity to manage economic and social risks, such as unemployment, exclusion, sickness, disability, and old age.
4. Social Health Protection: An initiative focused on providing health care and financial protection to all people in relation to health, aiming to reduce health-related risks and financial burdens.
5. Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP): A federal unconditional cash transfer poverty reduction program in Pakistan, named after the late Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.
6. Sehat Card: An initiative in Pakistan aimed at providing health insurance to citizens, particularly the less privileged, to ensure access to quality healthcare services.
7. Universal Health Coverage: A healthcare system where all individuals and communities receive the health services they need without suffering financial hardship.
8. Research Hub: A collaborative platform or center where various stakeholders (like researchers, NGOs, and policymakers) come together to conduct research, especially in areas of social protection and health.
9. Global Evidence Commission: A multi-national body or initiative focused on promoting the use of evidence in policymaking at a global level.
10. Agile Policy Adaptability: The capability of quickly and effectively adapting policies in response to new research, evidence, or changing circumstances.
11. Policy Ambition: Refers to the scope and goals that a policy aims to achieve.
12. Feedback Loops in Policy: Mechanisms for continuously receiving and integrating feedback into policy-making processes to enhance their effectiveness and relevance.

Understanding these terms is essential .

For detailed governance and its issues related to Pakistan, check Governance.